.
Chapter 405 Marve, with a hint of feigned politeness, asked, âArenât you going to get up?â
Cara remained on her knees, her expression full of genuine remorse. âI was wrong. Conner has already talked to me about it, and I realize my mistakes now.
âIâm sorry, Maeve. Jealousy clouded my judgment. I promise it wonât happen again. Please, forgive me.â
Her display of guilt seemed sincere, though its authenticity was hard to discern.
Maeve silently watched Claraâs orchestrated display before her. With Maeve showing little reaction, Bryce made no effort to signal Clara to rise Conner, who was standing nearby, chimed, âNathalieâs past grievances caused her to speak harshly to you, Ms. Scott. We had a long talk last night, and she has let go of the pastâ
He then looked at Clara and said, âNathalie, didnât you say last night that you wanted to apologize to Ms. Scott?
Clara nodded eagerly, her expression filled with genuine remorse.
Stepping forward, she bowed and said, âMaeve, I used to have feelings for Mr. Brooks, and my jealousy caused me to behave in ways that hurt you. Iâm truly sorry. Please forgive me.
Maeve frowned slightly as she scrutinized Claraâs seemingly pure and innocent face.
While Clara appeared genuinely changed, Maeve weighed two possible reasons for her transformation: either Clara had truly repented and found love with Conner, or she was feigning weakness as a strategic move.
Marve might have entertained the idea of Claraâs genuine change it hadnât been for the dream she had recently. That dream left her cautious, and believing in Claraâs transformation wasnât something she could do easily.
With a sharp edge in her voice, she scoffed, âYou slapped me twice. A simple apology wonât suffice.
Maeveâs intent was clear.
Clara nervously bit her lip before replying, âIf you wish to slap me back, I wonât object.â
Her vulnerable and penitent demeanor painted Maeve as the aggressor.
âConsidering your pregnancy, letâs skip the slapping. Weâll settle this through compensation,â Maeve concluded She raised an eyebrow and added firmly, Mr. Spencer settled with me for five billion dollars, much like compensation for Mr.
Jeffersonâs slap. So, itâs only fair for you to pay me five billion dollars as well, and weâll consider this matter settled.â
âFive billion dollars? Clara exclaimed incredulously.
To compensate for her, Henry had only given her a million dollars as pocket money since becoming the heiress of the Ramoz family. How could she possibly come up with five billion?
Upon hearing Marveâs request, dara turned to Conner, as it pleading his assistance Conner maintained his composure and questioned, âMs. Scott, Isnât this extortion?â
âHow could this be extortion? Resolving this isnât as simple as offering an apology. She harmed Bryce, who is crucial to my business. With the Scott family bankrupt and Mirage Group shares declining, I depend on Bryce to generate income.
âLook at him now. His face is injured and itâs his celebrity capital Even so billion wouldnât suffice if he canât recover.â
Marve was feigning financial hardship, a charade that everyone easily saw through Bryce coughed uncomfortably, visibly unsettled by Maeveâs remarks.
Her pretense of poverty, despite being the CEO of Mirage Group and a billionaire herself, was utterly absurd.
Conner rubbed his forehead in frustration. With matters having escalated to this point, he reluctantly decided to shoulder Claraâs debts.
âAlright, Iâll cover it for Nathalie,â he conceded. âBut Ms. Scott, remember your words. Letâs consider this issue settled.â
âDd course.â Maeve concurred coolly With that, Conner stood up with a firm expression and instructed, âNathalie, getup. Letâs go.â